2 July, 2013 News stories

Lake Ellsworth project leader awarded international prize

Professor Martin Siegert, the principal investigator on the sub-glacial Lake Ellsworth project, has been awarded the 2013 Muse Prize.

The award is in recognition of his innovative research on Antarctic sub-glacial lakes and the reconstruction of Antarctic glacial history.

Professor Siegert’s research in this field is described as multidisciplinary and collaborative. He has received world-wide attention, which he has cultivated to promote public awareness of Antarctic earth and environmental sciences.

Professor Siegert is professor of Geosciences at the University of Bristol.  In October 2012 he led an ambitious project to drill down to the sub-glacial Lake Ellsworth on Antarctica to search for any life forms. The project was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the team included engineers and scientists from British Antarctic Survey. It was called off at Christmas after the team ran into technical difficulties.

Professor Siegert will receive the prize at a later date.

Background information

The Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica is a US$100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy who has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The Tinker Foundation’s goal is to recognize excellence in Antarctic research by honouring someone in the early to mid-stages of his or her career. The Prize is inspired by Martha T. Muse’s passion for Antarctica and is a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007–2008.

For more information go to museprize.org